The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-09
IN FAVOR OF COMBINING
The Federation Urges Consolidation
of the Two Miners Organizations.
More Assistance Pledged to Idle Miners in
Illinois-The Executive officers Elect
ed for the Ensuing Year.

The proceedings of the annual convention Of
the National Federation OF Miners and Mine
Laborers were com pleted last night the most
important business of the day being the con-
sideration of proposition looking to amicable
relations with the miners organization work
ing under the Knights of Labor system. Hereto
fore all efforts towards consolidating the feder-
ated and district assembly bodies into man
agement that would control all the organized
miners of the country. have failed. Many of the
federation are still anxious for this result, and
when the matter came up again in the form of
a long preamble and resolution it caused long
discussion. The preamble recited that the two
organizations, the Federation and National
District Assembly 135 Knights of Labor, work
ing for the object by different MEANS had
retarded rather than promoted the interests of
miners. It stated that the federation had de-
monstrated the worth of its conservative meth
DDS and its ability to protect its members. but it
was desirabl that the two bodies should Work in
unison. and to affect this an organization
ought to be formed that would meet the approval
of majority OF the miners in the States and
Territories. The sequence of this sentiment
the resolution by which the federation
tended an invitation to the officers of District
Assembly 135 unite with it's officers in issuing
-
mine laborsrs. regardless of existing organiza-
tons. The resolution also urged upon the Off
that the interests of the craft rather than
the perpetuation of organization should be
looked after. 1t advised that the conveu
ton ought not to be held later th an January.
1888. The proposition as embodied in the pa
pers was approved.
The executive board was instructed to take all
steps necessary to extend the workings of the
federation in the anthracite regions, and in
southern Illinois and Missouri. 1t was also or
dered to arrange for the commencement of the
scale of prices in November, instead of in Nav
resolution adopted providing for the
raising of fund at the rate of ten cents per
member to be used in central and southern Hi
nols. and in all other places where the scale OF
prices for mining have not been increased.
1t was resolved that the miners who are idle,
who may be hereafter required to suspend
work in order to obtain scale of prices, shall
be supported by every member of the federation
contributing equal share when such aid IS
called for by the different State and district Of
fcerS
A proposition devise plan for defense
fund referred to the executive board with
instructions to report to the next convention.
The committee ways and means reported
adversely TO appropriatiDg certain sum from
the federation's treasury to the SInsy monument
fund. but the report was not concurred In.
However, motion to lay the whole matter on
the table prevailed. but the delegates individ-
ually gave $40 in cash TO aid the monument en-
terprise.
resolution requesting tina at the next inter
state convention of miners and operators a scale
of prices be fixed for the day laborers at the
mines adopted.
On the election OF officers and the executive
board, executive secretary. Christopher
Evans. of New Stratsville, o.. and treasurer,
Hon. Daniel Mclaughlin, of Bradwood Ill,
elected. These officers with Robert
Fisher. of Concordia, Ind. Hon. John Mcbride,
of Massillon. o., George Harris, of Reynolds
vile, Ia, and John T. johnson. OF Shamokin,
Pa. constitute the executive board Mr..
Johnson represents the anthracite region. The
convention then adjourned to meet here next
September.